Description:
Job Summary:Reporting directly to a Division Chief or Felony Prosecutor III, responsible for performing specialized professional legal work pertaining to an assigned division within the Williamson County District Attorney's Office.
This prosecutor will be responsible for all adult felony prosecutions from initial court filing disposition or trial, prepare and send newly filed charges to the Grand Jury in a timely fashion, and will represent the State of Texas in all court proceedings, plea negotiations, evidence review, trial preparation, and witness interviews. The prosecutor in this position will also be expected to maintain regular communications with the victims of criminal offenses and ensure that victims rights are respected in accordance with the law. A particular focus is paid towards preparing and moving felony criminal charges to trial in a timely fashion while demonstrating excellent trial advocacy skills.
A resume and cover letter are required when applying for this position. *
Examples of Work Performed:
Trial Assignment
- Prepares felony cases for disposition including plea agreements and jury and non-jury trials
- Reviews felony cases to determine quality and depth of investigation, completeness of case file, and complexity and severity of the case
- Evaluates cases and determines appropriateness of plea agreements, trial, or other disposition, conducts necessary legal research, confers with parties involved including victims and law enforcement personnel, consults supervisor, and advises and negotiates resolutions with defense attorneys
- Assists in management of District Court Docket settings on pre-indictment cases, indicted cases, pre-trial settings, non-jury settings, jury trial settings, motions to revoke or adjudicate, and conducts other pre-trial and post-trial motions and/or hearings
- Handles negotiated pleas of guilty in court, prepares necessary paperwork, and confers with court and probation personnel as appropriate
- Performs advanced legal work and serves as lead and 2nd chair counsel in trials of felony cases; reviews and evaluates case files, conducts investigations, locates and interviews witnesses, presents cases to Grand Jury, performs legal research, provides discovery, visits crime scenes, examines physical evidence, confers with law enforcement, judicial personnel, and victims and victim families, and negotiates with defense attorneys
- Directs court-assigned District Attorney (DA) Investigator in gathering records, locating and interviewing witnesses, and reviewing physical evidence
Intake Assignment
- Ensures the proper investigation and preparation of felony criminal cases to be prosecuted in the Williamson County District Courts
- Performs the review and intake of all cases referred to the District Attorney's Office
- Assists law enforcement personnel in investigations and provides legal counsel regarding the filing of felony charges
- Drafts search and arrest warrants (24 hours per day, 7 days per week) for felony cases and investigations
- Reviews newly filed felony cases to determine quality and depth of investigation, completeness of case file, and supervises the intake and presentation of felony cases to Grand Jury for Indictment
- Directs intake-assigned DA Investigator in gathering records, locating and interviewing witnesses, and reviewing case files and physical evidence
- Advises law enforcement in the conduct of criminal investigations, ensuring adherence to applicable laws, policies, and procedures
- Advises prosecutors and law enforcement of perceived challenges to prosecution and resolutions to such challenges and regarding the appropriate charges at arrest and indictment
- Assists Trial Division prosecutors with the presentation of felony cases to the Williamson County Grand Jury; assists with the drafting of Information's and Indictments, motions, and other legal documents
- Coordinates, prepares, and presents training on the effective investigation and prosecution of felony offenses to law enforcement professionals and other individuals involved in investigating and prosecuting felony cases
- Serves as lead and 2nd chair counsel, at the discretion of the Intake Division Chief, in trial of a small number of felony cases; reviews and evaluates case files, conducts investigations, locates and interviews witnesses, presents cases to Grand Jury, performs legal research, provides discovery, visits crime scenes, examines physical evidence, confers with law enforcement, judicial personnel, and victims and victim families, and negotiates with defense attorneys
Appellate Assignment
- Handles post-conviction litigation arising from felony criminal cases in the Williamson County District Courts involving preparation, presentation, and disposition of felony appeals and writ applications
- Serves as a resource for law enforcement and other prosecutors in legal matters pertaining to investigation, evidentiary procedure, and trial presentation; performs legal research and presents legal arguments before trial judges
- Analyzes writ applications and trial records and researches and analyzes applicable laws and/or court decisions to determine proper legal response
- Reviews reporters' records, felony case files, analyzes briefs filed by defense counsel, and researches and analyzes applicable laws and/or court decisions to determine proper legal response to appeals
- Prepares legal briefs, motions, petitions for discretionary review, etc., on behalf of the State in response appeals of felony convictions and ensures proper filing of briefs and other documentation with State appellate courts; prepares and presents oral arguments to appellate courts
- Prepares and files appropriate motions and responses to procedural motions filed by defense counsel and assists other prosecutors in matters involving evidentiary and trial procedure by providing advice or performing legal research to answer inquiries and/or determine proper application of case law
- Presents legal arguments in evidentiary and trial procedure matters to trial judges on behalf of other prosecutors
- Advises other prosecutors of changes in criminal laws and procedures
- Contacts and obtains affidavits from court officials, correction officials, law enforcement personnel, etc., to support findings of fact
- Performs conviction integrity review; receives and reviews letters from pro se inmates and others expressing concerns about the fairness or integrity of various aspects of the criminal justice system, investigates and documents as appropriate, develops, implements, and maintains a process for this task, and responds and takes action based on the concerns expressed and information known and gathered
- Serves as support attorney for the Civil Division including, legal research and briefing, specific case assignments, and special projects
- Receives, reviews, documents, and takes action to correspondence from defendants, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Governor's Office, and others regarding parole, pardons, clemency, time cuts, and early release
Organization Relationships
- Reports directly to – Division Chief or Felony Prosecutor III
- Direct Reports – No
Physical Demands:
- Position involves prolonged sitting at a workstation, reaching, walking, twisting, bending, repetitive motions, and standing
- Position involves occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty (50) pounds and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objects
Environmental Factors:
- Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environment
- High-volume office and courtrooms with stressful situations
- Interaction with law enforcement agencies and persons accused or convicted of felony offenses
- Regular travel between work sites as required
Irregular Hours
- Work outside of the normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) may be required
- May be deemed essential personnel in the event of an emergency
- Occasionally responds to late night calls
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school and five (5) years licensed attorney work experience in diverse criminal matters, including three (3) years of experience in prosecuting felony offenses; OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or training
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and specific job-related technology
Licenses and Certifications:
Required:
State Bar of Texas
Preferred Qualifications:
Board Certification or desire to seek Board Certification in Criminal, Appellate, or Civil Law
